Ministers have set out fresh details of the forthcoming deposit-return scheme for single-use drinks containers.
The government published guidance on producer and retailer responsibilities under the initiative, which is expected to come into force in England and Northern Ireland in October 2027.
It said filled containers made entirely from aluminium, steel or PET plastic, with a capacity between 150ml and 3l, would be caught under the scheme if only likely to be used “for a short period of time”.
Milk bottles and other HDPE material will be exempt, as will anything used for medicine, flavour enhancement or sweetener.
“Everyone in the drinks supply chain must charge the deposit to their buyers,” said the guidance.
In-scope producers must register with a deposit management body, which is due to be created this spring, report the volume they place on the market, comply with labelling rules and pay the relevant fees.
Retailers selling drinks covered by the scheme must host a return point, which can be manual or automated, unless their shop floor is below 100 square metres. Shops also need to register their involvement and display information on the initiative to customers.
For the full guidance see here.
